Miss Last Week’s Southern Tier New York News? Catch Up Here

Every Monday, I recap some of the essential local news we reported on 1290 AM/92.1 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations on-air, our websites, and social media platforms.

Catch up here on local, regional, or state news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of January 22, 2024, from various agencies and news reporting from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff. For the complete article (if available), click on the headline.

Another Binghamton Craft Brewing Business is Closing

(Bob Joseph)
The move to close had been in the works for quite a while. Business was down last year, especially during the summer when many of Water Street Brewing's patrons were busy with other activities. The ongoing parking problems since the old Water Street garage demolition were a factor in the downturn.

New Program Aims To Save Lives Of Domestic Violence Victims

(Don Morgan)
Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar announced on January 22nd, 2024, a new partnership to help better protect victims of domestic violence and save lives. Sheriff Akshar along with members of the Crime Victims Assistance Center and the Family Violence Prevention Council spoke about the implementation of a new Lethality Assessment Program that is designed to help identify victims who are at an increased risk of being killed by their intimate partner.

Guthrie Acquisition of Lourdes Hospital to Be Finalized Next Week

(Bob Joseph)
Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital in Binghamton is about to become part of The Guthrie Clinic officially. The Sayre-based Guthrie last June announced it would acquire Lourdes and its related physician practices from Ascension, a national healthcare system with headquarters in St. Louis. Lourdes and its affiliates will have about 3,000 employees at the time Guthrie assumes control. They'll join The Guthrie Clinic's existing workforce of about 6,500 people.

New Legislation Aims To Improve Access To Healthy Food In Broome

(Don Morgan)
According to Senator Gillibrand's news conference, the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act is designed to help end food deserts, which are areas where a significant portion of residents don’t have easy access to a grocery store and affordable, nutritious food.  This legislation would provide $50 million annually in mandatory federal funding for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative which is a USDA program that offers loans and grants to incentivize grocery stores to establish locations in underserved communities.

New York Lawmakers Pushing to Ban Tackle Football for Young Kids

(Bob Joseph)
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto first introduced the legislation more than a decade ago. The Bronx Democrat said the bill finally gained a sponsor in the state Senate last year. Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Benedetto said the goal of the legislation isn't to hurt football. He said, "We love this game but we want to protect young people when they play it."

Hey New Yorkers: Cough Syrup Recall Due To Microbial Contamination

(Don Morgan)
The United States Food & Drug Administration released this recall notice on January 24, 2024. The recall is for eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult. Check your medicine cabinet. The reason for the recall is due to microbial contamination.

Drive-Up Convenience: Work Starts for Binghamton Cannabis Shop

(Bob Joseph)
Equipment and furnishings have been removed from an old Binghamton A&W restaurant that's being converted into a marijuana retail store. Workers have been filling large trash bins outside the former fast-food establishment at 439 Court Street on the East Side. New York state cannabis control officials decided the site would be appropriate for a new weed shop.

Important Safety Recall: 2011-2019 Ford Explorers

(Don Morgan)
The latest recall is for 1,889,110 Ford Explorers from 2011 to 2019 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is due to "A-pillar trim retention clips that may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach." A-pillar retention clips hold the trim that covers the Explorer's roof supports by the windshield. The trim piece can fall off if not properly engaged, which then becomes a road hazard and increases the risk of a crash to the driver and others on the road.

ID of Body Found in Burning Binghamton House Still Unknown

(Bob Joseph)
The investigation continues into the death of a man whose body was discovered inside a burning home in Binghamton. Firefighters discovered the body as they worked to extinguish a blaze in a house at 2 Pleasant Street on the city's North Side. The January 15 fire was reported around 8:15 a.m. The man's body was found in a first-floor bedroom near the front of the house.

New Yorkers: Are You Eligible For EITC? Find Out Here

(Don Morgan)
EITC varies by income, family size, and filing status. To file, a person must have earned income or a certain disability income. The United Way notes that persons who worked in 2023 and earned less than $63,698, should check for EITC eligibility. It could result in a refund of up to $7,430 when filing a return if you have qualifying children.